Sheet-feeder



C.y W. HARROLD i Sept. 2o, 1938.l

SHEET FEEDER 2v sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed'Nov. 19. 1930 Rin/61u,

luf

Sept. 20, 1938. c. w. HARROLD SHEET FEEDER original Filed Nov.-1a. 1950 2 sheets-sheet 2 Ww Ww m M 4 Reimer sept. 20,1938

SHEET-FEEDER.

Charles W. Harrold, University Heights, Ohio,

assignor to Harris-Seybold-Potter Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Original No. 1,920,388, dated August 1, 1933, Serial No. 496,616. November 19, 1930. Application for reissue May 27, 1937, lSerial No.

4s claims.

My invention relates to sheet separating and advancing mechanisms for automatic sheetfeeders, and more particularly to suction sheetseparating devices infront edge feeders especial- 5 ly when equipped for use in the pile sheet-feeders of the type shown in" the U. S. Charles G. Harris Patent No. 1,112,609 of October 6, 1914. The objects of my invention are, among other things to provide an improved and simplified front edge feeder of the suction type which embodies a series of oscillating suckers that engage andraise slightly the front edge of the' top sheet on a pile and draw same forwardly tothe feedrolls of the printing press or other machine to l5 which the sheet-feeder is attached. After the sheet has been seized by the feed-rolls, the suck-- ers are swung forwardly in unison and drop beneath the plane' of the advancing sheet and the sheet moves forwardly into the bite of a; second` pair of feed-rolls and is further advanced .for-

wardly into the press. When the suckers are re-` tracted to engage the next sheet they pass below the iirst sheet that is being forwarded with the nrst pair oi.' feed-rolls lifted out of the way of the returning suckers.

With these and other objects in view, my invention comprises the constructions and operat- Similar numerals refer to similar partsy throughout the several ilgures. j

Referring to the drawings, the -pile ofpaper t issupported on thel standards 4, and at each of the rear corners of the pile 3 is located the combing buckler and sheet separating unit (only one being shown), 'as more particularlyshown 45 and described in the C. G. Harris Patent No. 1,112,609, comprising the combing buckler wheel I which is rotated to f'rlctionally engage the top ,portion of the pile 2 at its rear corners to produce a series of traveling arcs or buckles in the top- 50 most and subjacent sheets, the sheets being held against bodily movement by the adjacent presserfoot i. While the paper buckles are so held by the buckler wheel I and presser-foot B, the 'suction separator 'I corresponding .to the suction sep- 55 arators l in the patent to Harris 1,112,609 is x ilce for all.

lowered to seize the topmost sheet 8, and is then raised with the sheet B'after. which :the buckler wheel 5 is lifted (Fig. 2`) and the presser-'foot 8 is thrown outwardly and then inwardly again to engage the pue 3 beneath the top sheet. s, and s simultaneously blasts of air are projected beneath the' sheet 8` whereby it is winded"' from the pile 3 to allow my improved front edge feeder mechanisms to seize the top sheet 8 and advance same forwardly (to the'rlghty in Fig. 2). v10

The side-frames 9 and III carry the rotatable cross-shaft II on which are xed spaced-apart pulleys I2-around which pulleys` I2 pass the. loopedtravelling feed-tapes I3 that also encircle the forward series of spaced-apart pulleys Il 15 mounted on the shaft VI5 journalled in the sideframes 9 and III. Coacting with pulleys I2 and tapes I2 are a like series of drop-rolls I6 pivoted on the arms II aillxed to the rock-shaft I8. and a similar set of. drop-rolls I9 pivoted to the 20 arms 2Il which are aiixed to the rock shaft 2i coact with the pulleys I4 and feed-tapes I2. The

drop-rolls I6 and I9 are raised and lowered by u' the following mechanism: Fastened to the shaft I8 is the rock-arm 59 connected by the link 6l to 25 the rock-arm 6I amxed to the rock-shaft 2|. Pinned to the extension A62 of one of the arms 20 u is the link 62 pivoted to theA rock-lever 8l journailed on the stud 65 and carrying the camroller 66 that rides on the cam 61 amxed to the 30 cam-shaft I6 .by the force of the pull-spring 68. As the cam 61 revolves and the roller 66 rides out of the drop of the cam 61, the droprolls I8 are lowered to their dotted line position to engage the sheet while the drop-rolls I9 35 are raised. When the roller jenters the dren of the cam Il a reverse complementary move-` ment of the rolls I6 and I9 takes place. In the drawings the rolls I6 are shown 'to have a reciprocating movement, but, ifso desired, they may serve as continuous advancing rolls always in contact with the tapes Il as shown in full lines ln Fig. 2. v

The row of suction heads 22 (six being shown g in Fig. l) vare similar in structure and operation and a description of one such head 22 will suf- 'I'he head 22 is hollow and carries the usual rubber sucker lips 2l which engage and attach themselves to the top sheets when an exhaust or vacuum pressure existsv in the head 22. The heads 22 are mounted on the ends of 'hollow arms 2l spaced between the pulleys I2 (Fig. 1) and ailixed to the tubular shaft 25 rotatably sleeved over the inner hollow shaft 2l. 'I'he port 21 in the shaft-25 is adapted to regis- 65 ter wml th-slot :l m me man w pmvnie7 a suction e from the interior of the shaft 20 to the suction heads 22. The end of the shaft 20 is connected-by the pipe orl hose 2l to the valve box Ilv which is connected by the hose ll to the customary vacuum pump (not shown). -V

The valve box 3l comprises the inner chamber 31 cui out ofthe circular back 'plate az suitamy Vand l0 '(Fig. 1). Amxed to the shaft 42 is the amxed to the feeder as shown in'Pig. 2. Fitted to the plate vI2 is theoscillating plate 3l which carriestherockarm on thestudli amxedto I the plate 22,. 'I'he plate'tl has the cut-out passage It which registers with the cut-out slots 21 and Il to provide a direct connection with the hose 2l and hose ll respectively when the rock arm '34 and plate 32 are in the full line position i shown in Fig. 2. When the rock-arm" 24 is Vshifted clockwise'toits dotted line lposition the cut-out passage It in the plate u registers with the slot 31 and chamber 2 9 which has the vent 40 to atmosphere thereby shutting otl'the pump from the h ose 29 and breaking the suction or exhaust pressure in the suction heads 22. Any

-other type of device for intermitting the suction derived from the usual vacuum pump in the suction heads 22 may be employed. The present embodiment is shown because of its simplicity in structure and operation. w

'I'i'ie hollow shaft 284s pivotally mounted at either end on the-rock arms 4|' afiixed to the rock-shaft 42 iournalled in the side-frames `9 arm 42 carrying the cam-roller that coacts with thevcam 45 mounted onvthe cam-shaft 4l which is rotated in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 2) by any suitable `means (not shown). The spring 41 between therock arm 4I and any convenient xed part of the feeder (not shown) holds the cam-roller 44 von the cam 4i as the latter revolves in a clockwise direction'.

Theouter tubular shaft 25 on which the sucker r arms 24 are mounted carries .the arm 4I to which ispinned the cam-roller 4I that. engages the cam-slot Il' cut in the elongated oscillatingv bracket il pivoted at one end of the studl2.

'Ihe bracket li carries the depending-annif to which is pinned the cam-roller, that engages the cam mounted on the cam-shaft 4l to im-` part an up-and-down .movement to the bracketV Il as indicated in dotted .linesvin Fig. 2. 'l'.he'` collar affixed tothe rock-'shaft 42 carries the arm B1 connectedby the link Il to rock-arm '2l Y "to intermit the suction as hereinbefore described in timed relation with the forward and backvwardswinslng movement of the suction heads l 22.` The proper driving speed relation between e the drive cam-shaft 46 that operates the suction beads n and we rotating shaft lltnatfsctuates the travelling feed-tapes I2 so' that the suction in the side-frames 0 and Il.

heads 22 will oscillate at all times beneath the previously fed-o1 sheets is maintained bythe following mechanism: The cam-shaft 4i carries Vthe sprocket i! around which passes the endless drive chain Il engaging and driving the large sprocket 1| 'fast to the cross-shaft 12 joui-nailed,

The shaft 'I2 has also ailixed thereto the small sprocket 'Il around which passes the endless chain 'I4 that engages and drives the sprocket llfastened to the feedtape'shaft II. By this mechanism the top sheets I are so advanced by the feed-,tapes Il and associated devicesl that the suction heads -22 will be actuated at all times beneath the previously fed-off sheets moving to the right in Fig. 2 as indicated bythe arrow. i

aas/aa Y The operation of my front-edge sheet-feeder is substantially as follows: When theucombing wheel 6 .and Suction separator 1 vhave liftedto loosen and raise the rear corners of the top sheet l on the pile 3 as shown in Fig. 2, the rowof suction heads 22 on their supporting arms 24` are in their full line sheet-engaging position with the cam-roller 49* in the lei't end of the cam-slot 5l, the cams 45 and 55 having been set on the'camlines vin Fig. 2. 'Ihe collar has also been set on the rock shaft 42 so that lthe rock arm I4 .rock-arm 4I in. its retracted position and the shaft 46 relativel'yvto each other as shown in full which controls the suction from the pump through the valve-box Slis in its lfull line position the suction heads 22 arranged across the front lthen as the arm 4I swings forwardly as the rockshaft 42 moves clockwise, ,the suction heads 22 carry the front edge of the sheet l into the bite of the upraised feed-rolls I6 (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2) at the time the suction heads 22 start on their forward movement suction is broken in the separator 'I and the blast through the presser-footi isdiscontinued', as described at page 7, lines 68 et\seq'. of the Harris Patent 1,112,609, referred toabove, and then therolls I6 are'lowered by the roller 66 riding out of the drop ofthe cam i1 to press the front portion of the sheet against the travelling feed-tapes Il at which timethe rock arm 34 is shifted to its dotted line 'position to shut off the suction from the suction heads 22 to release the sheet I by venting.

roller 49 is travelling toward the forward end= of the cam-slot 5l as shown in Fig. 2. The sheet 8 is now advanced by the feed-tapes II into the the pile l for the'next cycle with the feed-rolls lifted out of the way of the Vretracting suction heads. Such underlapped s heets as they are fed l y forwardly serve tol aid -in advancing the superposed sheet so that thesuccessive sheets are carried atan equalized rate of speed through the feeder before reaching the usual side-registering mechanisms andfront gages of the press.

While the foregoing sets forth the embodiment ofl my invention, many changes in the structural details may be Amade without departing from the principles and-scope of the invention or sacric'- v 2. In a sheet-feeder.' sheet-forwarding means.

suction means for separating and advancing a sheet from a an orbital path to adl5 to afford a direct exhaust pressure or suction in l ao,sea l I downwardly beneath the sheet when said sheet is under controlof said forwarding means.

3. In a sheet-feeder, sheet-forwarding means,

, suction' means for separating and advancing a sheet from a pile having an orbital path in a substantially vertical plane to advance the sheet to said forwarding means, and.` means to intermit the suction and lower said suction means beneath the sheet when the latter is under control of said forwarding means.

4. In a sheet-feeder, sheet-forwarding means and suction means for separating and advancing a sheet from a pile to said forwarding means, said suction means being moved forwardly and downwardly beneath the sheet after releasing said sheet whenl under control of said forwarding means.

5. In a Ysheet-feeder, sheet-forwarding means, suction ,means for separating and advancing a sheet from a pile to said forwarding means, means to move said suction means forwardly and downwardly beneath the sheet when under control of said forwarding means, and meansto retract said suction means to the pile while the sheet is being forwarded.

6. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction v vmeans for separating and advancing -a sheet from a pile, said means being moved forwardly and downwardly beneath the advancing sheet during thel end of its forward stroke.

'7. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction means for separating and advancing a sheet from a pile, said means being moved forwardly and downwardly beneath the advancing sheet during the end of its forward stroke and retracted to the pile while the sheet is being forwarded.

8. In a sheet-feeder, feed-rolls for forwarding a sheet and an oscillatable suction means for separating and advancing a sheet from a pile'to said rolls, said means being moved forwardly and downwardly beneath the advancing. sheet during the end of its forward stroke.

9. Inv a sheet-feeder, feed-rolls for forwarding a sheet and an oscillatable suction means for separating and advancing a sheet froma pile to said rolls, said means being moved forwardlyand downwardly beneath the advancing sheet during the end of ,its forward stroke and retracted to the pile while the sheet is being forwarded.

' 10. In 4a ysheet-feeder, coacting feed-rolls to forward a sheet one of said rollshaving a bodily movement away from the other, Asuction means for separating and feeding a sheet from a pile between said rolls when separated, means to bring said rolls into operative engagement with the sheet, and means to move said suction means forwardly and downwardly beneath the sheet when carried by said rolls.

11. In a sheet-feeder, coacting feed-rolls to for--v ward a sheet one of said rolls having a bodily movement away from the other,'\suctionmeans for separating and feeding a sheet from a pile between said rolls when separated, means to bring said rolls into operated engagement with the sheet, means to move said suction means forwardly and downwardly beneath the sheet when carried by said rolls, and means `for separating said rolls when said suction means are retracted,

to the pile. X

12. In a sheet-feeder, intermittently separable feed-rolls to forward a sheet when saidrolls are in coacting engagement therewith, and an oscillatable suction means for separating and advanc.

ing a sheet from a pile to said feed-rolls, said rolls being separated when said suction means is and having it under control at the instant said sheet is released by the suction means.

13. In a sheet feeder, intermittently separable feed-rolls to forward a sheet when said rolls are in coacting engagement therewith, an oscillatable suction means for separating and feeding a sheet from a. pile-to the feed rolls, said rolls being separated when said suction means is moving through the zone of the rolls and said rolls being closed in engagement with the sheet and having it under control atv the instant said sheet is released'by the suction means, and a 'second pair of feed-rolls for advancing the sheet when the ilrst pair of feed-rolls are separated.

14. In a sheet-feeder, a series of suction heads operating on the front portion of a pile of sheets to separate and advance same, and means for sequentially raising, advancing and then lowering said heads all ina substantially vertical plane beneath the advancing sheet when released from said heads. l

15. In a sheet-feeder, a series of suction heads operating on the front portion of a pile of sheets to separate and advance same, sheet-forwarding f means to which the sheet is carried by saidsuction heads, and means for moving said heads forwardly and downwardly beneath the sheet when under control of said sheet-advancing means.

16. In a sheet-feeder, a series of suction .heads operating on the front portion of a pile of sheets to separate and advance same, sheet-forwarding means to which the sheet is carried by said suction heads, and means for moving said heads forwardly and downwardly beneath the sheet when under controlof said sheet-advancing means and vretracting said heads to the pile beneath the advancing sheet. f

, 1'?. In a sheet feeder, oscillatableA ysuction means for separating and advancing a sheet from a pile and movable in a vertical plane to convey' the leading edge of the advancing, sheet beneath the preceding fed-off sheet, the suction means moving forwardly ofA saidpile and above 'and below the top thereof along an orbital'path dis-l posed in said vertical plane. l

18. In a sheet-feeder, suction means for successively'separating and advancing sheets from the top of a pile in underlapped relation, said suction meansl moving at all times underneath the previously separated sheet along an orbital path extending forwardly of said plie and above and below the topv thereof. Y

19. In a sheet-feeder, sheet forwarding means,

sheet along' an orbital path extending forwardly of said pile and above and below the vtop thereof.

f 21.v In a device for feeding sheets inlapped revlation from a supply of sheets, mechanismfor 9 1mm .from smppiytof sheets, mechanism 'for successively feeding from the supplyf said mechanism comprising means located adjacent the rear of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from said supply. in combination with means for forwarding thesheets to a printing orother machine and suction means having sheet'advancing movementunder a previ- 1 ously advanced sheet and adapted to engage separated sheets adjacent the front thereof and advance them in lappedrelation to the forwardingmeans asrfast as they are separated from the sup- Ply by said separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet engaging and advancing means and including means for releasing the suction sheet enssins and advancingmeans from each sheet when it has been advanc'ed to and is .under the control of saidqforwarding means.

22. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from' a supply of sheets, mechanism for successively feeding sheets' from the simply, said mechanism comprising means located adjacent means and including means for releasing the'A suction 4sheet and advancing Ymeans from( each sheet when it has been advanced tov and is under the controlA of said y forwarding 1 23, 'In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a supply f sheets, mechanism for successively feeding sheets from the.l supply, 4said 'mechanism comprising means for separating the sheets one' after another 'from the supply-and including means for blowing air between each sheetandthesumlyassaidsheetisbeingseparated, in combination with means for forwarding A* thesheets to'aprinting or other machine vand suction means having sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage separated sheets'and advance them in lapped relation toitheforwarding means asJ f ast as they are separated from theisupply by'said separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet ena'asina' and advancing'means and including means for releasing the suction 'sheet and advancing means Y-fi'oin each sheet when it has-been 'advanced oontrolofsaidforwading means.- l v.

.24. In afdevicefor feeding sheetsrin lapped mechanism for separating the Aslieetsons after mother from the supply including means for lifting the sheets, means for.l

blowing airunder each sheet lifted.,and presser v meanratemporuuy holding frdmbodiiy'movs- `ment those sheets located underthe'one liffed,in

with means `for sheets to or other machinefand siiction means having sheet advancing movement` under a previouslyV advanced 'sheet and' adapted @to engage separated sheets and advance thern'in` lapped to theforwarding means as f ast` nipplyby'said to .andl is under the" 'Y feeding sheets fromthe supply. 'said separating means, and means for operating 'saidf suction sheet engaging and advancing means and including. means for releasing thesuctlon Vsheet engin and advancing means from each sheetwhen it has been advancedv to andis under the control of said'forwardingvmeans. y

25. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relationfrom a supply to a printing or other machine. means forforwarding said sheets to the ing sheets from V`said supply to said forwarding said V mechanism comprising suction' means for'separating the sheets one after another from therear'of said supply of sheets, in

combination with suction means havingl sheet advancing movement under a previously advan'ced sheet and adapted to engage separated sheets and advancetliemv to the forwarding means in lapped relation as fast as they are separated from the supply by said separatingmeans, and means for operating s aid suction sheet en gaging and advancing means and including -means for releasing the suction sheet engaging .and vadvancing means from each sheet when it hasbeen advanced to and is of said forwarding means. l A

26,. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation froma supply to a printing or other maunder the control chine. means for forwarding said sheets to the means, said mechanism comprising means i0-,

cated adjacent the -rear of the supply for separatingA the sheets one Rafter' another from said supply oi' sheets, in combination with suction means movable underl a previously advanced sheet for englisng succeeding separated sheets adjacent the front thereof and advancing them tov the forwardingmeans in lapped-relation as fast -as they are separated from thesupply by -said separating means, and means for operating saidsuction' sheet vand advancing means andgincluding'. means for releasing the suction sheet engaging and advancing means `fron'i each sheet when it has been advanced toy fthe control of. said forwarding 527.111 a device for lfeeding sheets in lapped relation lfrom. a pile to a printing or otherA mathe top-most sheet. suction meansI for lifting the buckled portion of said sheet.'V means for engaging and holding the remaining sheets of the pile against movement, and meansl for blasting saidv sheet with air, in combination with suction means fol? eiltlnl the blasted sheet and for advancingl the same to the forwarding means in lapped re-.- ,lation with a previously advanced sheet. operating means for saidsuction sheet engasins and advancing means impartingA sheet advancing movement thereto under the previously advanced .sheet whereby said blasted sheet is advanced to the forwarding means in lapped relation with the previously advancedshcetas aforesaid, and means 'c for breaking suction in the suction sheet engaslns and advancing means when the blasted sheet has been advanced to and is under the control of said forwarding means,thesuc:iidn tionseparatimmeansbeing. ptedtobe brokenandtheairbiastthroughtheairblasting in the sucmachine, and mechanism for successively feeding sheets from said supply to said`forwarding means, said mechanism comprising meanslocated adjacent the rear of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from said supply of sheets, in combination with a plurality of suction devices having sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage marginal portions of the separated sheets adjacent the front thereof and advance said sheets to the 'forwarding means in lappedrel'ation as fast as the sheets are separated from the supply by said sheet separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet engaging and advancing devices including means for releasing them from each sheet when it has been advanced to and is under the control of said forwarding means.

29. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a pile of sheets, mechanism'for separating and advancing successive sheets from the pile in lapped relation, saidmechanism comprising means` for buckling the rear edge of the topmost sheet, suction means for engaging the` buckled portion of said sheet and separating the rear portion of the same from the pile, means for engaging and holding the remaining sheets of the pileagainst movement, and means for blasting said sheet with air to further separate the ,same from the pile, in combination with means for forwarding the sheets to a printing or other machine and suction vmeans having sheet ladvancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage the blasted sheet and advance the same to the forwarding means.

in lapped relation with the previously advanced sheet, the suction in the suction separating means adapted to be rendered operative before the vsuction in the suction sheet engaging and advancing means is rendered operative, and means for operating said suction sheet engaging and advancing means and including means for releasing the suction sheet engaging and advancing means from each sheet when it has been advanced to and is under the control of said forwarding means, the suction in thesuction separating means adapted to be broken and the air blast through the air blasting means adapted to be cut off as the suction sheet engaging -and advancing means startson its forward movement;

30. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from 1a supply to a printing or other machine in. which the means for engaging the sheet separated from the supply and for advancing the same to the forwarding means has sheet advancing movement under the previouslyv advanced sheet, means for forwarding said sheetsto the,

machine, and mechanism for successively feeding-sheets from said supply to said forwarding means,said mechanism comprising rearwardlylocated means for separating the sheets oneafter another. from the top of said supply of sheets, in

combination with forwardly located` suction means for engagingithe top of the separated -sheets and advancing said sheets to the forwarding means in lapped relation as fast as 4they are separated from the supply by said separating means, and operating means for said suction sheet engaging and advancing means imparting .in lapped relation, .said mechanism comprising means located adjacent the rear of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from said Vsupply of sheets,v in combination with suction means having sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage separated sheets adjacent the front thereof and advance them to the forwarding means as fast as they are separated from the supply by said separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet advancing means and including means for releasing the suction sheet engaging and advancing means from each sheet when it has been advanced to and is under the control of said forwarding means.

32. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a supply to a printing or other machinemeans for forwarding said sheets to the machine, and mechanism for successively feeding sheets from said supply to said forwarding means, said mechanism comprising means for separating portions of the sheets'one after another from the supply and means for blowing air between each sheet thus separated and the supply for completely separating the sheets there-- relation from a supply of sheets, mechanism for successively feeding sheets from the supply, said mechanism comprising means located adjacent the rear of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from said supply, in combination with suction means having sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage separated sheets vadjacent the front thereof and advance them in lapped relation as fast as they are separated from the supply by said-separating means,

and means for operating said suction sheet engaging and advancing means, said sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeedlng sheet and separate the latter from the supp ly upon a partial movement, effected by said sheet engaging and advancing means, of the preceding sheet 'from` said supply.

34. In a. device for feedingsheetsin lapped relation from a supply of sheets, mechanism for succesively feeding -sheets from the supply. said mechanism comprising means located adjacent the rear of the supply and including suction sheet lifting means for separating the sheets one after another from said supply, in combination with suction-means sheet advancing movementunder a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage separatedsheets adjacent the front thereof and advance them in lapped relation as fastastheyareseparatedfromthesupplyby said separating means. and means for operating A said sheet separating means being adapted tol saidsuctionsheetandadvancingmeans,

saidsheet lifting and means .being adapted to engage a sheet and separatethelatterfromthesuppiyuponapartial movement. effected by s aid sheet B11888108 and advancing means, of the preceding sheet from 18.1451111913'- 35. In a devicev for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a supply ofsheets, mechanism for separating means, and means for operating said suctionsheet e and-advancing means,

'engage the succeeding sheet and separate the latter from the supply upon apartial movement.

effected 'by said sheet y 1 and advancing means, of the preceding sheet from said supply. 36. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped vrelation from a supply of sheets to a printing or other machine. means for forwarding said sheets to the machine, and mechanism forv successively lfeedingv sheets from said supply to lsaid forwarding means, said m comprising means located adiacent the rear of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from siiid supply. in combinatlon-with-suction means having sheet advancing movement under a previousiy advanced sheet and adapted to engage separated sheets adjacent the front thereof and advance" them to the f means in lapped relation as fast as they are separated from the supply by said separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet engaging and adviincing means, saidsheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separate thelatter from the supply upon apartlal movement, effected by vsaii'l sheet engaging andv advancingxmeans, fromsaidsupply. I

37. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a supply of sheets, mechanism for vsuccessively feeding sheets from the supply, said mechanism comprising means for separating the nsheets one afterl another from the supply includingmeansforliftingthesheets, means for blowing air under each sheet 'and presser meansfortemporarilyhcidingfrombodilymovein combination with suction means having sheet advancing `movement imder a previously ad-V vanced sheet and adapted lto vengage separated 'risv said separating means for operating saidsuction sheet Viiiiiliidviincing means. meansbeingadaptedto engage the andv separate the latter from the supplyupo'naparti'al movement. effected by saidsheet ensasins sndadvancing of the preceding machine..means for forwarding said sheets to the machine. 'and mechanism for successlnly' reedingsneeu irannidsupplv msgid roi-wirding'means, said mechanismcomprising suction means for separating' thev sheets one after any other from the rear of said supply `offsheets. in

combination with suction means having sheet ad'- l vancing movement under `a previously advanced shectandadaptedtoesageseparatedsheets and-advance them to the'forwarding means in lapped relation as fast as they are-separated from the supply by said separating means. and' means for operating said suction sheet engaging and advancing means. said sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separate the latter from the supply upon a partial movement. effected by said 'sheet engaging and advancing means, or the preceding'v sheet from said supply. I Y

v39. In a device for feedingv sheets in lapped relation from a supply to `a printingV or other machine, means for forwarding. said sheets to the machine, andf mechanism i'orsuecessivelyA feeding sheets from said supply to said forwarding means. said mechanism comprising means located adjacent the rear of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from said supply of sheets,A in combination` with suction means mgovable under a previously advanced sheet vfor engaging succeeding separatedl sheets adjacent the front thereof ,and advancing them to the forwarding means in lapped relation as -fast as they arev-separatedfrom the supply bysaid separating means,` and means for operating said suction' sheet engaging and advancing means.

said' sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separate the j latter from -the supply upon a partial movement.

elected by 'sheet engaging and advancing means. of the preceding sheet from said supply.

40. In a' device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a pile to a printing or other mschine, means for forwarding said sheets to the machine, and mechanism for successively feeding sheets from the pile to said forwarding means,

said mechanism comprising means for separating .v if pile of' topmost the blasted' sheet and for advancing the same to the forwarding means in lapped relation with a previously advanced sheet, and operating means for said suction' sheet e and advancing means limparting sheet advancing movement thereto under the previously advanced. sheet whereby said blasted vsheet is advanced to the mentthosesheetslocatedundertheoneiifted..

forwarding means in lapped relationwith the previously advancedsheet asaforesaid. said sheet separating means being adapted to'cnllethe succeeding separate the latter' from the supply upon apartiaimovement, effected by said sheet engaging and advancing means; of 1 the preceding lsheet from said luplilv.l

41.1n s devimr'feedim bemin upped machine, means for 4forwardingsiiid sheets toV relation 'from a supply to a printing or other the machine, 'and mechanism for feeding sheets from vsaid'iiuiiiil! |20 .-ing means, said mechanism ma forwsi-slocated adjacent the front of the supply for separating the sheets one after another from said supply of sheets, in combination with a plurality of suction devices having sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and rated sheets adjacent the front thereof and adby said sheet engaging and advancing devices,A

vance said sheets to the forwarding means in lapped relation as fast as the sheets are separated from the supply by said sheet separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet engaging and advancing devices, said sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separating the latter from the supply upon a partial movement, effectedY of the preceding sheet from said supply.

42. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a pile of sheets, mechanism for separating and advancing successive sheets -from the pile in lapped relation, said mechanism combuckled portion of said sheet and separating the rear portion of the same from the pile, means for engaging and holding the remaining sheets4 7 and advancing means, of ,the preceding sheet from the supply. Y

44. In a device for feeding sheets from a supply to a printing or other machine, means for forwarding said; sheets to the printing machine, adapted to engage marginal portions of the sepaand mechanism" for successively feeding sheets 4from said supplyI to said forwarding means, the

speed of the forwarding means relative to the speed of the feeding mechanism being so correlated that the latter delivers sheets to the former in lapped relation, said mechanism comprising supply by said separating means, and means for operating said suction sheet advancing means, said sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separate the latter from the supply upon a partial movement, effected by said sheet engaging and -advancing means, of the preceding sheet from said supply.

of the pile against movement, and means for' blasting said sheet with air to further separate the' same from the pile, in combination `with suction meanshaving sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet and adapted to engage the blasted sheet and advance the vsame -in lapped relation with the previously advanced sheet, the suction in the suction separating means being rendered operative before the -jsuction in the suction sheet engaging and advancing means is rendered operative, and means for operating- `said suction sheet engaging and advancing means,

45. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a supply to a printing or other machine, means for forwarding said sheets to the machine, and mechanism for successively feed- -ing sheets from said supply to said forwarding means, said mechanism comprising. means for rating means being adaptedto engage the succeeding sheet and separate the latter from the pile upon a partial movement, effected by `said sheet engaging and advancing means, of the preceding sheet from. said pile.

43. In a. device for feeding -sheets in lapped relation from a supply to a .printing or other machine in which the means for engaging the sheet separated from the supply and for advancing the same to the forwarding means has sheet advancing movement under the previously advanced sheet, means for forwarding said sheets to the machine, and mechanism for successively feeding sheets from vsaid supply to said forwarding means, said mechanism comprising rearwardly located means forseparating the sheets one after another from the top of said supply of sheets, in combination with forwardly located suction means 'for engaging the top of the separated sheets and advancing said sheets to the forwarding means in lapped relation as fast as they are separated from the supply by said separating means, and operating means for said suction sheet engaging ,and advancing means 'imparting sheet advancing movement thereto under a previously advanced sheet whereby. said separated sheets are advanced to said forwarding means in lapped relation as aforesaid, said sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separate the latter from the supply upon a partial movement. effected by said sheet engaging separating portions of the sheets one after another from the supply and means for blowing air between each sheetthus separated and the supply for completely separating the sheets therefrom, in combination with suction means having sheet advancing movement under a previously advanced sheet andadapted to engage completely separated'sheets and advance them to `the forwarding means in lapped relation as fast as they are completely separated from the supply, and means for operating 'said suction sheet,4 advancing means, said sheet separating means being adapted to engage the succeeding sheet and separate the latter from the supply ,upon a partial movement,eil'ected by said suction sheet advancing means, of the preceding sheet from said supply. v

46. In a device for feeding sheets in lapped relation from a supply of sheets, mechanism for viously advanced sheet and adapted to engage..

separated sheets adjacent the front `thereof and advance them in lapped'relation tosaid forwarding means 'as fast as they are separated from the supply by said separating means, said sheet separating means being adapted to engag the t succeeding sheet and 'separatethe latter from the supply upon-a partial movement, eil'ected by said sheet engaging and advancing means, of the preceding sheet from said supply, and means for operating said suction sheet engaging Iand advancing-means including means for releasing the suction sheet engaging5and advancing means from each sheet when it has been advanced to and is under thev control of said forwarding means.

eHARLEs w. Hmmm. 

